Maureen Produced Water Injection

SPE MemberAbstract. This paper describes the application of produced water injection on the Maureen platform to improve the quality and reduce the quantity of water discharged overboard. The production history of the field is reviewed. A number of alternatives considered to resolve the problems associated with increased water production are discussed. Results of a produced water injection trial are presented, together with the performance to date of permanent injection facilities. Future plans are outlined for optimising water management requirements and reservoir pressure support.Introduction. The Maureen field is located in Block 16/29a of the U.K. sector of the North Sea, 163 miles north-east of Aberdeen. Oil production and water injection have exceeded 200 million barrels and 180 million barrels respectively since the field was put on production on 14 September 1983.The performance of the platform's produced water treatment facilities has deteriorated as water rates have increased. The installation of improved water treating facilities was considered, and trials with a centrifuge and hydrocyclones were carried out on the platform. In the end, produced water injection was introduced to reduce the flow of water through the existing treatment units to a manageable level. Existing platform equipment was used to inject the untreated produced water into depleted and shut-in oil wells. Sea water injection wells are being converted to produced water injection to reduce discharge rates further and to optimise reservoir pressure.Reservoir. Figure 1 is a contour map of the top Palaeocene Maureen formation, showing the location of oil producing and water injection wells.Fig. 1 - Maureen Top PaloeceneP. 275^